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It requires gumption to take on Kishore Kumar and Laxmikant Pyarelal and it takes considerable guts to take on a once young, sensational Rishi Kapoor. But Himesh Reshammiya has done just that, with his characteristic nonchalance.

Karz is a classic that generations of cinefans still pay obeisance to. And we have been shocked, curious and worried (strictly in that order) ever since T-series announced its mega project, Karz revisited, with Himesh assuming the role of Monty (RK), Monty’s voice (KK) and Monty’s musical mastermind (Laxmikant Pyarelal).

It appears our apprehensions were not unfounded. Karzzzz, the movie soundtrack, is out. And it features 19 songs! Each song is more than five minutes long and the second CD features the club and lounge versions of the Disc One tracks.

Needless to say, the mammoth 2-CD album sees Himmesh at his prolific best. He composes, sings, howls and ensures that you do not, ever, forget how Himesh Bhai attained the demi-god status in the eyes of his fans – through his nose.

How To Kill a Classic

We will start with the last song of Disc One. Ek Haseena Thi is the iconic climax song in Karz, with the haunting guitar riff synonymous with the film. The new version, sung by Himesh and Shreya Ghoshal is like a Dummy’s Guide to Kill a Classic.

We cannot help but compare the same to a recent ‘revisitation’ of another Kishore Kumar-RD Burman-Rishi classic, Bachna Ae Haseeno (Vishal-Shekhar) where the results were far more aesthetic and smacked of respect for the original. Himesh crashes his way through the arrangement, with the sensitivity of a bull in a china shop, his voice and the reproduction ruining it for us.

Back to the title track, Lut Jaaon Lut Jaaon. If you have been to the theatres recently, you would have seen the shiny red disco ball (a recurring motif in this film as it appears!) and the track playing the background. The rhythm is extremely catchy, the singing is not. But you may want to forgive Himesh here as the song does have potential, even if the alaap in between makes it sound very similar to Karunesh’s Global Spirit tracks. But we will not say Himesh has ‘copied’ the song, he may have simply been ‘inspired’.

Next comes a song Hari Om Hari Om. Himesh makes it sound more like Hurry Ooom, Hurry Ooom! The chanting is decidedly funny and you will be rolling with laughter at the seriousness with which Himesh attempts to make it sound cool.

Hurry on to the next track, which we suspect is Himesh’s secret tribute to Bappi Lahiri. Of course, with a little help from his lyricist Sameer. Tandoori Nights is a song picturised on Urmila Matondkar and Himesh and has lyrics that go: Tak tana na na Tandoori Nights Tandoori Nights, Tak tana na Tandoori Nights Tandoori Nights… A close cousin of Bappida’s immortal gem: ‘You are my fish fry, You are my chicken fry…’

Not to be completely dismissive about Himesh’s effort, there are songs such as Soniye Je Tere (Himesh and Tulsi Kumar), which are certainly not bad. The song has a nice fusion feel to it and Himesh sings earnestly, at times even using his guts rather than his nose for desired effect.

In Dhoom Tere Ishq Ki, Himesh tries to do a Kailash Kher. The song is extremely earthy with a strong acoustic feel. The buildup is nice but Himesh comes crashing in with his version of “dh-o-o-o-o-o-o-m”, and that more or less spells the end of story.

It is a real pity because the song has some neat instrumental solos (harmonium and sarangi) and recreates the ambience of a mehfil rather well.

Up next is Sisak Sisak Ke, which is interesting with a fusion of styles and beats and a spot of rap thrown in. Very slickly packaged and could be a hit on the dance floor.

The 30-second howl

And now to one of the signature Himesh tracks from the collection: Tere Bin Chain Na Aave. As the lyrics booklet will also guide you, the song begins with an “O o o” that goes on for roughly 30 seconds (yes we counted). This too is more of an ‘acoustic’ song with tabla and sarangi that gives way to a slower number Masha Allah.

Disc 2 as we have said earlier, features the same songs in their lounge and club avatars, and there can be no doubt as to how the makers of this magnum opus are trying to position this one. T-series is a music and movie giant and it will surely leave no stone unturned to ensure that their biggest gamble till date (they have bought the remake rights for Rs 2 crore) pays off.

Many moons ago, during an interview with yours truly, Himesh had declared with a shrug of his shoulders: “At any given point in time I have thousands of tunes ready for my producers. Each tune has many versions. Can anyone match this record?” I am yet to find a suitable repartee to this statement, which sums up the spirit of Karzzzz.

Verdict: You like nasal? You get nasal. You like tempo? You get tempo…and all kinds of it too. Get the picture?

Rating: 1.5/ 5

Listen to music Of Karzz: